According to IDC the global tablet market sees shipment growth of 11.5% Y-o-Y in Q3 2014, with shipments reaching 53.8 million units as back-to-school promotions and US tablet demand drive shipment growth.
Apple continues to lead in the vendor rankings with 22.8% Q3 2014 market share, even if it sees declines of -12.8% Y-o-Y on shipments reaching 12.3m units. IDC accounts such declines to an extending iPad lifecycle, as well as consumer anticipation and the release of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Samsung follows with 18.3% market share and 5.6% Y-o-Y growth through its focus on markets like MEA and N. America, while Asus beats Lenovo to 3rd place via Windows-based 2-in-1 devices.
Lenovo comes to 3rd place with strong 30.6% Y-o-Y growth through its strength in emerging markets, and white box tablet maker RCA caps the Top 5 thanks to distribution deals with some of the biggest retailers in the world, not to mention demand for low-cost devices.
"Although the low-cost vendors are moving a lot of volume, the top vendors, like Apple, continue to rake in the dollars," IDC remarks. "A sub-$100 tablet simply isn't sustainable—- Apple knows this—and it's likely the reason they aren't concerned with market share erosion."
